The Season of Falling

22. Chapter 22

Chapter twenty-two

Kasey

The call from the hospital had basically been a false alarm. Yes, Grandpa was getting sicker, and yes, they were still going to keep him overnight. But he’d just felt a bit nauseous and extra tired during his appointment. Given how long his dialysis had been going on, the doctor wanted him to stay just in case.

My heart didn’t stop racing until I was seated next to his hospital bed. “Grandpa, could you try not to scare me like that? Dean and I were out on the lake, and who knows what could have happened?” My voice caught. “And what if I’d been too late in getting here?”

He reached a shaky hand over and rested it on top of mine. “I know it won’t make you feel better, but you don’t need to rush over here every time some little thing happens. I’m old, and this is life. Besides, I’d rather talk about something exciting like you and Dean out on the lake together.” He waggled his eyebrows, getting a laugh out of me.

“We just kayaked up to Starr Farm. No big deal.”

“That boy makes you happy, Kasey. I can see it clear as day on your face. I have high hopes for the two of you.” He smiled, but I could see that he was tired and needed to rest more.

“You and me both.” I stood and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Now, you get some rest. I need to call Kendra and Dad to tell them about this hospital stay.”

He waved his hand dismissively in the air, and I laughed as I walked from his room and out to my car. My socks and shoes were still a little damp from kayaking, and I shivered as I got into the car and started the heat. It wasn’t even that cold yet, but the dampness mixed with the light breeze was a chilling combination.

I put Kendra on speaker and pulled out of the hospital parking lot. When she answered, I updated her on everything happening with Grandpa.

“Oh man,” she said on a sigh. “I’ve been slacking on getting down there every weekend like I said I would, but starting next weekend, I’ll be better. Have you called Dad yet?”

It was my turn to sigh. “No, not yet. We didn’t exactly part on the best of speaking terms last time. Plus I just left Grandpa and called you first.”

“Kasey,” Kendra began.

“I know, I know. And I’m going to call him. He just made me so mad last time with all his excuses about how he couldn’t come back to see Grandpa. This is his own father! And I am trying, promise. Grandpa gave me some good advice about giving him a chance, and I’m going to try to be unbiased when I talk to him. But I’m still not happy with him.”

Kendra laughed. “What’s new? But I agree with Grandpa; he definitely deserves a chance. Besides, aren’t they supposed to be coming home soon anyway?”

I nodded even though Kendra couldn’t see me. “Yeah, in the next week or so, I think. I can’t remember the exact day. Anyway, I wanted to keep you in the loop. I’m going to call Dad now.” She wished me luck and hung up as I pulled into my parking space.

I leaned my head back against the seat and let my eyes drift closed for a few minutes. There were so many thoughts and feelings swirling around in my heart and brain, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to approach a conversation with my dad with an open mind. My phone buzzed, and I cracked open an eye to see Dean’s name on my screen.

Dean : How’s your grandpa doing? Have you called your dad yet? I know you’re probably stressed about that.

I smiled softly. Dean knew me so well. And his timing was basically a miracle.

Me : They’re mostly keeping him overnight as a precaution. And I was just trying to convince myself to call, actually. How’d you know?

Dean : I must have a sense about these things. But don’t stress about it. I know things aren’t always the easiest between you two, but maybe this will be a uniting circumstance, ya know?

Dean had always been optimistic about mine and Dad’s relationship, and his kind words and impeccable timing eased my worry and helped to calm me. I could do this. I shot off a quick thank you to Dean as I climbed out of the car and walked up to my apartment.

Once inside, I headed to my room to change into sweats and then curled up on my bed with a fuzzy blanket before calling my dad. It rang a few times and then he answered.

“Hi, Kasey,” he said and he sounded hesitant.

“Hi, Dad. How are you and Charlotte?” I promised Grandpa I’d try, so I was trying.

“We’re both doing great. Just making the most out of the little time we have left here.”

I shifted around on the bed until I got comfy. “That’s good.” I cringed. This small talk was going to be the death of me. “I was calling because Grandpa got put in the hospital overnight. I guess when he went in for his dialysis today, he was nauseous and even more tired than usual.”

“Is he okay?” I could hear the worry in his voice, and it made my shoulders relax ever so slightly.

“They said it’s really a precaution for him to stay tonight. But the nurse did say that this kind of thing is likely to start happening more and more often.”

“Thanks for keeping me updated, Kasey. We’ll be back in just over a week, but if he goes into kidney failure or if anything else major happens, let me know as soon as possible so I can catch a flight back sooner, okay?”

I cleared my throat, fighting back tears. Of course I knew that he loved Grandpa, but hearing his concern and appreciation without any excuses suddenly made me feel as though the rift between us maybe could be fixed. “Yeah, I will. Thanks, Dad.”

Once we hung up, I texted both Kendra and Dean to update them on how the conversation went. That was one less worry floating around in my head. The other one happened to be in the form of the man I was absolutely in love with but who might soon remember the fact that he didn’t want to date me. I groaned and tugged my blanket up and over my head. Why was this so complicated? I loved Dean and had for years. Shouldn't that be enough?

A few days later Dean and I were walking hand in hand down Church Street. He’d planned another date for us, and I had been internally swooning ever since he picked me up wearing fitted jeans and a soft brown sweater. Did he know what that did to my heart? From the way he grinned and kissed me when I opened the door, I kind of guessed he did know.

By this time in October, most of the tourists trying to see the autumn leaves had cleared out, but there were still a few groups here and there as we meandered down the cobbled streets and in and out of shops. We weren’t there for any specific purpose, just to walk and be together.

It was the perfect time of day where the sun would start to set soon, but there was still plenty of light to cast a warm and cozy glow across the entire scene. The lights strung across the walking street were already on and added to the magical feel. We each had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, and I sighed, leaning my head against Dean’s arm.

“I love it here,” I said dreamily.

Dean chuckled. “I know you do. That’s why we came.”

I tightened my grip on his arm. “And that’s one of the reasons I love you.” The words slipped out of my mouth, natural as ever, but my eyes widened as I realized what I said. “Oh uh, I mean that’s just something I love about you.” Instead of stopping while I was ahead, I continued to talk and dig myself in deeper. “I mean, you’re super thoughtful, and I think that’s a really great attribute that I appreciate and love about you. Or…even just like about you.”

I could feel Dean silently laughing, and I smacked him on the arm. “Hey! It’s not funny. That is not the way you’re supposed to confess your love.” My mouth dropped open in horror. What was in this hot chocolate? Was it drugged or something? What had possessed me to essentially declare my love to Dean not once, but twice? “Oh man,” I muttered under my breath.

“There’s a whole lot to unpack right here,” Dean teased, tossing his empty cup in a trash can as we walked by. “Should we start with the part where you told me you loved me? Or the part where you called me irresistible?”

I let out an embarrassed laugh. “I did not say that. But I know that you’re not going to leave this alone, so ask away.”

He tapped a finger against his chin as if deep in thought. “Let’s see…” He paused for dramatic effect before snapping his fingers. “How about you tell me about the moment you knew you loved me.” He was teasing, but I actually did know the answer. I knew the exact moment when I realized that I was falling in love with Dean Ellis.

“It was that first time we played Battleship,” I said quietly. Dean’s steps slowed, and he looked over at me with a furrowed brow. He hadn’t expected me to say something real, but I’d never told him about this, and suddenly I wanted to. “Do you remember the first time we played?”

“I think it was during finals week our first year of college.”

I nodded. “I had just finished my calculus final and was pretty sure that I failed. When I showed up at your apartment, I was a mess.”

“Weren’t you crying? Or, trying not to cry?” Dean interjected. When I glared playfully he put his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, sorry. Continue with your story.”

We continued our slow walk as I went on. “I had been crying basically since I walked out of the testing center. And when you opened the door, you took one look at me, gave me a hug, and suggested we play Battleship. I thought you were crazy because how was a silly game supposed to help anything? But it did. You did. You made me laugh and remember that it wasn’t the end of the world to fail a final or even a class. You helped me keep my head above water instead of sinking into self doubt and pity.”

Dean squeezed my hand, and it was like that one simple gesture transferred a burst of comfort straight to my heart.

I smiled up at him before continuing. “I distinctly remember this moment where you told a joke and you were laughing and your eyes were all lit up. When you looked up at me it stole my breath. And I was so grateful for you and your friendship and your good heart. You were willing to take me at my sobbing worst and make me happy again. And I think that’s when I started to fall in love with you.”